These Facts Were Kept From the Supreme Court Before Its Whole Woman’s Health Decision

The U.S. Supreme Court began a new term Monday, but new facts have been brought to light that suggest the high court “got one wrong” during its last term.

Operation Rescue President Troy Newman said that when the Supreme Court tossed out a key provision of Texas state law in its Whole Woman’s Health v. Hellerstedt decision, it did so without all of the relevant facts. The organization issued a statement about the findings of a recent Freedom of Information Act demand relating to the “health and safety” of Texas abortion clinics that is horrifyingly disgusting.

According to the statement:

Operation Rescue now has evidence in the form of public documents that proves 16 of 17 Texas abortion facilities miserably failed recent health and safety inspections conducted by the Department of State Health Services between August 2015, and June 2016.

This information shows that Texas abortion facilities continue to pose a significant danger to the lives and health of women.

It is now obvious that regulatory reforms are needed to protect women from the serious health dangers posed by Texas abortion facilities. Abortion facilities should be required not only to submit to inspections, but also pass them before Ambulatory Surgical Facility or Abortion Facility licenses are issued or renewed.

The most recent inspection reports for each Texas abortion facility were obtained from the Texas Department of State Health Services. According to those reports, those facilities were cited for the following violations:

• Failure to ensure staff was trained and competent.
• Failure to report child abuse on a minor patient.
• Failure to observe mandatory waiting periods.
• Failure to ensure a safe and sanitary environment.
• Failure to properly sterilize surgical instruments, many of which were contaminated and in use on patients.
• Cracked and/or contaminated vaginal ultrasound probes were found in two facilities.
• Cross-contamination of instruments/supplies with aborted baby remains.

“As far as I know, these inspection deficiency reports were never submitted to the Supreme Court’s consideration,” Newman said. “The reports show us that more oversight is needed for abortion facilities, not less.

“We expect conditions at Texas abortion facilities will continue to deteriorate in the wake of the Supreme Court’s errant ruling that protects abortion businesses and their sloppy, corner-cutting practices above the health and welfare of women and their babies.”